Role of Specific microRNAs for Endothelial Dysfunction and Cerebral Blood Perfusion in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Endothelium acts to maintain vascular homeostasis through multiple complex interactions with cells in the vessel. The endothelium has the capacity to produce cytokines and adhesion molecules that regulate the platelet activity and direct the inflammatory process. Endothelial dysfunction has been presented in atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, and stroke. Both systemic and cerebral endothelial functions are decreased in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Statin therapy has been shown to improve endothelial function through increasing nitric oxide bioavailability in the endothelium. MircoRNAs (miRNAs), a short non-coding RNAs, that regulate the expression of protein-coding genes. MiRNAs suppress protein synthesis by inhibiting the translation of protein from mRNA or by promoting the degradation of mRNA, thereby silencing gene expression. In endothelial cells, the action of specific miRNAs is important for vascular signaling and function. MiRNAs are important regulators of vascular cell functions and contribute to many vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease, diabetic vascular complication, and in general to atherosclerosis. As our knowledge, there were fewer studies assessing the association of vascular specific miRNAs and endothelial dysfunction in patients with AIS. Moreover, the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and cerebral blood perfusion after acute cerebral infarction remains unclear. In present project, we will prospectively enrolled patients with AIS who are admitted to Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial hospital. We hypothesize that endothelial dysfunction may correlate to the reduction of cerebral blood perfusion in patients after AIS. Furthermore, some miRNAs that regulation of vascular cell function may contribute to the endothelial dysfunction induced by acute cerebral infarction. We speculate the degree of endothelial dysfunction and specific miRNAs may be predictors for patients after AIS. 

Project ID:PC10308-1872 
External Project ID:MOST103-2314-B182-027